At their old base that once housed their robot prototype, a M.E.C.H. surgeon attached two cables together. A soldier pressed a button, and electricity coursed along the cable as the Blood of Primus was pumped from a container into the lifeless husk of Breakdown, which was rebuilt and a mess.
The soldier typed something into the computer, and the machine rumbled and shook as it powered down. The M.E.C.H. soldiers feared that their plans had failed, but a new optic built into Breakdown's helm powered on with the current optic.
"Welcome back, sir." The M.E.C.H. surgeon said. "What have you done?" Breakdown asked with Silas' voice as he looked at his new servo. "What we needed to in order to save you, Silas." The surgeon said. "I'm one of them." Silas said.
"The logical evolution of M.E.C.H.s experiments in biotech. Your brain fused with the donor's nervous and skeletal systems." The surgeon explained. Inside his new chassis, a mortally wounded but alive Silas observed the machinery. "The perfect meld of man and machine. Exquisite." He smiled evilly.
"Thank you all for your dedication and a lifetime of service." Silas said as he stepped off the cables. "But I now seem more suited to keep the exclusive company," He activated Breakdown's shoulder cannon. "Of titan." Silas finished. Outside, gunfire and flashes of light could be seen and heard as Silas killed off his own soldiers.
Later, a damaged army van drove towards a base and came to a stop at the checkpoint. A soldier approached the driver side, and the window lowered, revealing only Silas' eyes. "Colonel Leland Bishop." He identified himself.
"Bulkhead, you really mustn't allow yourself to decline." Ratchet said. "Yeah, Bulk. You got to pull yourself out of this funk." Miko agreed. "What's the use?" Bulkhead asked. "You need to regain your strength. The time will come when -" Ratchet started. "When what? When all of you will need an assist? Isn't that what the new guy's for?" Bulkhead asked.
"Hey, Bulkhead, I've been thinking. With your injury and all, you might want to take advantage of the armor I snagged from Starscream." Smokescreen offered. "Instint muscle suit!' He said as he held the Apex Armor. "You think I need a crutch?!" Bulkhead growled and smacked the armor from Smokescreen, right into the computer. "Bulkhead, I needed that!" Ratchet snapped with his famous line.
Bulkhead groaned. "Out of my way, rookie!" He pushed Smokescreen aside. "He can walk!" Smokescreen exclaimed. Bulkhead picked up a giant, metal ball of debris and started pushing it in. "Looks like he's fit for duty to me." Smokescreen said. "You don't even know what you're talking about." Ratchet said.
Miko gave Smokescreen a thumbs up. "You've got to be kidding, Raf. You of all people? Grounded?" Jack asked on his phone. "Big time. I misplaced some homework and blew a couple of tests." Raf said. "Translation: A- instead of an A." Miko said.
"When will you be back?" Elsa asked. "I don't know, Elsa. I'm probably spending too much time at the base." Raf said. "Rafael, I hope you're not on the phone in there." Raf's mother said. "No, Mama. Say hi to Bee for me. Until I improve these grades, I'm off Team Prime." Raf said.
Jack, Miko, and Elsa heard groaning and saw Bulkhead trying to flatten the metal ball. "Just when we get one back, we lose another." Miko said.
Over on the Nemesis, a terminal detected Breakdown's life-signal. "Strange. Lord Megatron, it appears that Breakdown's signal has popped back online, albeit corrupted." Knockout said. "Investigate with caution. It may very well be an Autobot trick." Megatron said. "I certainly hope not. Breakdown may act the brute, but he's a maestro behind a rotary buffer." Knockout said.
At the now destroyed military base, a Ground-Bridge opened, allowing Knockout and four Vehicons to step through. They surveyed the damage until a familiar 'Con came out of a burning building with a large case. "Breakdown! Where have you -" Knockout stopped when he got a good look at his former partner. Breakdown looked like he had been torn apart and put back together more than once. He even had a replacement optic where his eye-patch was.
"Breakdown? What happened to you?" Knockout asked. "There lies a tale which won't be nearly as interesting to Megatron as this." Silas said as he held up the container. "So, take me to your leader." He finished.
"At 16:30 hours, a satellite was stolen from a high-security military vault. Surveillance shows the Decepticon known as Breakdown at the scene." Agent Fowler reported to the Autobots. "Haven't seen him in a while." Bulkhead said. "It looks like Breakdown entered the base in vehicle mode with someone behind the wheel." Agent Fowler said.
"A Decepticon paired with a human?" Ratchet asked. "And I have a pretty good hunch who. The stolen satellite was Project Damocles." Agent Fowler said. "Invented by Silas." Optimus said. "I guess the former Colonel Bishop wanted it back." Agent Fowler said.
Bee buzzed in confusion. "Yeah. I thought Silas was paste." Arcee said. "So did I." Agent Fowler said. "Agent Fowler, even if he were alive, are you suggesting that Silas has aligned M.E.C.H. with the Decepticons? I highly doubt that Megatron would entertain such an idea." Ratchet said. "Why not? The Human-Bot alliance works for us." Jack said. "Most of the time." Arcee said.
Megatron got a good look at Silas. "Knockout, what is this abomination? And why have you brought it here?" He asked. "I am C.Y.L.A.S. As in Cybernetic Life Augmented By Symbiosis. I come with a proposition." C.Y.L.A.S. said.
"This is the human who dissected Breakdown!" Knockout realized and readied his saw. "Please, my liege, allow me to return the favor." He said. "I propose that you not overlook the one asset that provides Optimus Prime an advantage. At least on this world." C.Y.L.A.S. said.
"And that would be?" Megatron asked. "The human factor." C.Y.L.A.S. said. "Look around you, C.Y.L.A.S. I command an army from a mighty warship, and I can do this." Megatron raised a servo, and purple ice magic surrounded it, and the temperature in the area began to plummet to prove Megatron's point.
"What could a human possibly offer?" He asked. "I am no ordinary human, and this is no ordinary weapon." C.Y.L.A.S. said and motioned to the container in the middle of the bridge.
"Damocles is a particle beam cannon so powerful it can slice up the Pentagon like a birthday cake, or give everyone on Mount Rushmore a mohawk, all from a satellite in orbit. It's the work of a madman, and in Megatron's hands," Agent Fowler said as the monitor showed the satellite.
"A threat to anyone anywhere on the planet." Megatron coincidentally finished. "With pinpoint accuracy at the flick of a switch." C.Y.L.A.S. said. "And what is it that you wish in return?" Megatron asked. "Merely a place at the table." C.Y.L.A.S. said.
"The 'Cons may have the satellite, but they can't use it without the interface code. The only existing copy is stored on secure servers at headquarters in Colorado." Agent Fowler said. "We must keep the code out of Decepticon hands at all costs?" Optimus said. "It's roll time." Bulkhead said as he clashed his servos together.
"Yep, yep. I have not cleared you for active duty, nor are you ready to roll." Ratchet stopped him. Bulkhead groaned.
"Attention, all personnel are to evacuate immediately. We have a level 5 radiation leak. Repeat, evacuate immediately!" Soundwave mimicked Agent Fowler's voice as he hid, and the soldiers scurried off. Soundwave burst into a control room, extended a tentacle onto a keyboard, and began to hack the system.
A Ground-Bridge opened outside, and the Autobots came through but were met with gunfire. Forcing them to hide behind rocks as Vehicons surrounded the building. "The Decepticons have preceded us. We must secure the command center." Optimus said.
Smokescreen, Arcee, Bumblebee, Chromia, Jetfire, and Cyclonus ran forward while firing.
A Decepticons terminal showed them to Megatron. "The Autobots have arrived." He said. "Megatron, relax." C.Y.L.A.S. said, earning a glare from the magical warlord. "Lord Megatron." C.Y.L.A.S. corrected. "Soundwave may need to download the code in order to remotely operate Damocles from here on your warship, but while jacked into the mainframe, Damocles is his to command." He explained.
C.Y.L.A.S. pressed a button, and Damocles was launched from the Nemesis. The satellite fell into orbit around the Earth and formed, then turned itself around as it started charging. "Soundwave, prepare to beta test." Megatron said.
Soundwave attached his second tentacle to another keyboard, and Damocles started warming up. Smokescreen transformed to get closer, then transformed again while shooting the enemies until a Vehicon collided with him. Smokescreen managed to punch the Vehicon right as Damocles fired a yellow beam of energy. The laser was headed for Smokescreen.
Smokescreen jumped away, and the beam hit the Vehicon. "Whoa!" The rookie Autobot exclaimed.
Megatron looked at the damage from Damocles. "Promising." He said.
Damocles fired again. Optimus saw the beam coming at them. "Fall back!" He ordered as the beam hit the ground and chased them. "Ratchet, we require backup!" Optimus said. "I'm there." Bulkhead said, but Ratchet stopped him.
"Can you remotely disable Project Damocles under Agent Fowler's advisement?" Optimus asked. "On a human-based computer network without my backup? Without Rafael?" Ratchet asked.
Raf continued studying his stupid schoolwork when a Ground-Bridge opened up in his room, allowing Jack, Miko, Elsa, and Agent Fowler to enter. "What are you guys doing here?" Raf asked. "Son, your planet needs you." Agent Fowler gave him a file.
"Autobots, we must draw its fire to distract from Raf's efforts." Optimus said as the laser ceased. Then Damocles fired again. "Somehow, I don't think that'll be a problem." Arcee said. They transformed into their ground and air vehicles and ran from the laser.
"Ratchet, you've got to send me in." Bulkhead said. "So that you can be an even easier target?! You have yet to regain your full range of motion!" Ratchet objected. "But Breakdown's back! He's my arch enemy! Come on, even the kids are in on the action!" Bulkhead begged. "Very well, Bulkhead. You are cleared for duty." Ratchet groaned.
"Yes!" The green Wrecker said. "A duty of my choosing." Ratchet specified.
Raf managed to hack into the military mainframe. "I'm in. But I can't reach the targeting systems, too many firewalls." Raf said. "Come on, son! If the 'Cons make off with that interface, Damocles will light up the sky 24/7." Agent Fowler said. "Let them have the code. It won't do them any good without the satellite." Raf said.
"Can't say I follow." Agent Fowler said. "All satellites have maneuvering thrusters so they can adjust their orbits. If I can break into the navigation subroutine, I can bring the whole satellite down." Raf explained.
"Great! Say, um, which way is the bathroom?" Agent Fowler asked. "What? No! If my mom sees you -" Raf started. "Relax. I train in covert ops." Agent Fowler said. "I don't care if you were trained by ninja! My mom has eyes on the back of your head!" Raf said.
The Nemesis detected a system breach in Damocles. "An intruder in the system." Megatron pushed C.Y.L.A.S. aside. "Soundwave, we have a breach." He said. Soundwave traced the signal to Jasper. "Jasper Nevada. It could only be the Autobots' human allies. " C.Y.L.A.S. said. "Then perhaps you should attend to the matter." Megatron said.
"Surely one of your subordinates is more suitable." C.Y.L.A.S. said. "Now!" Megatron commanded.
Arcee was being chased by the laser. Smokescreen stopped. "Clear shot. I'm going in!" He said, then drove for the base, but the laser nearly hit him. "Scratch that." Smokescreen said.
C.Y.L.A.S. in his army van mode drove through the neighborhood and found Raf's house. "Goodnight, hacker." He said as he raised his cannon. The barrel glowed as he zeroed in on the humans. Just as he was about to fire, Bulkhead in his Jeep mode collided with him. C.Y.L.A.S. fell onto his side as Bulkhead kept pushing him.
"Good call on curbside duty, Ratch." Bulkhead said. He and C.Y.L.A.S. fell down a hill and transformed as they landed on the road. "Been itching to trade paint with you again. Where you been, Breakdown?" Bulkhead asked. "Be patient, I'm about to send you there." C.Y.L.A.S. said.
"You're not Breakdown." Bulkhead realized. "But you are Bulkhead. And this is the last time you'll interfere with one of my operations." C.Y.L.A.S. said. "Silas." Bulkhead gasped. "In the flesh, in a manner of speaking." C.Y.L.A.S. said.
C.Y.L.A.S. readied his hammer, and Bulkhead activated his mace. They clashed and beat each other until C.Y.L.A.S. sent Bulkhead into a wall. C.Y.L.A.S. motioned Bulkhead to come at him. Bulkhead roared and did so.
"Bulkhead, do you read? Bulkhead?" Ratchet asked.
The downloading of the code was nearly complete. Optimus shot Vehicons down, then was blocked by Damocles. "Optimus, I fear that Bulkhead requires immediate backup." Ratchet said.
"Where did they hide the substringing?" Raf asked right as Agent Fowler came in. "FYI, you're low on TP." He said.
"Your reaction time is slow. You're favoring your right side. Legs are weak." C.Y.L.A.S. said and hit Bulkhead. "I'll show you weak!" Bulkhead growled. He tried to hit C.Y.L.A.S. but was thrown into the ground. "You should have stayed in bed, Autobot." The Frankencon said.
Just as he was about to kill Bulkhead, someone kicked him away. It was Smokescreen. "Assist! What the new guy's for." He offered Bulkhead a servo. Bulkhead took it and got up as C.Y.L.A.S. approached them. "One new guy to another." He cracked his neck gears. "This is your final day on the job!" He said as he readied his sledge hammer.
A warning sign was displayed on the screen. Soundwave showed it to Megatron on the Nemesis. "They are attempting to disable the satellite! C.Y.L.A.S. how difficult is it to squash a human child?!" Megatron growled. "C.Y.L.A.S?!" Still no answer.
Soundwave finished the download. "We have the codes? Then, target the intruder and destroy him!" Megatron commanded. The beam started chasing Bee. "This is our opportunity. Autobots, storm the command center!" Optimus ordered.
"I'm almost there." Raf said. Damocles started shifting orbit. "Raf, rock on! It's moving!" Miko cheered. "That isn't me." Raf said. "Then who?" Elsa asked.
Damocles deactivated, shifted orbit again, and warmed up. The Autobots finished off the Vehicons.
"Uh, guys, that's Jasper." Jack said as they watched Damocles shift its direction. "Oh, I can see my host parents' house!" Miko said. "And I can see my house right in their target sights." Raf said. "Any time, son." Agent Fowler said.
"Full thruster burn." Raf said. Damocles' orbit started decaying, and the beam hit away from Raf's house. It hit the KO Burger restaurant's sign.
Megatron watched Damocles spin out of control and growled.
The humans cheered until Raf's mother's voice boomed into the room from the door. "Rafael Jorge Gonzales Esquivel! What is going on in here?" She demanded as she opened the door and found them sitting on the ground holding books. "Study group." Raf said.
Bee killed the last Vehicon. They charged into the control room, but Soundwave already escaped.
Bulkhead and Smokescreen beat C.Y.L.A.S. down. "C.Y.L.A.S. return to base immediately." Megatron ordered. C.Y.L.A.S. fired a shoulder missile at Bulkhead and Smokescreen, but they survived and watched C.Y.L.A.S. run into a Ground-Bridge. They heard a loud boom and saw Damocles falling apart in the atmosphere.
"Looks like someone's big plan just burned up in re-entry." Bulkhead said. He and Smokescreen high-fived. "And, for the record, I studied every one of the Wreckers battles." Smokescreen said. "There's hope for you yet, newbie." Bulkhead said.
Back on the Nemesis, C.Y.L.A.S. was being addressed by Megatron. "C.Y.L.A.S. you have your place at the table." The warlord said. "Lord Megatron, I am honored." C.Y.L.A.S. said. "Knockout's dissection table!" Megatron darkly specified.
C.Y.L.A.S. nervously looked at the Decepticon medic. "Breakdown would be tickled!" Knockout said. "No, Lord Megatron! Why?" C.Y.L.A.S. asked. "Because Damocles was the best you had to offer, and it is no more. The human factor did indeed tip the scales in favor of my enemies." Megatron said as Soundwave showed a picture of Jack, Miko, Raf, Elsa, and Anna.
C.Y.L.A.S. was electrocuted from behind by Knockout and fell in a heap. "He will be a fascinating case for study." Megatron said. "I will leave no fiber or fiber optic unexamined." Knockout said with a crazy smile as he tapped C.Y.L.A.S.'s replaced optic. Two Vehicons grabbed his arms. "No, no! Megatron, I'm here to serve you! No, no, no, no! NOOOOOOO!" He screamed as the doors closed.